All returning MBBS students will be required to:
- Take the NeXT examination
- Pursue an additional one-year internship in India after completing their foreign MBBS degree
In addition, for the foreign medical graduate’s degree to be recognised by
the medical council of India:
- The student has to complete the degree within 10 years of commencing the course
- The duration of the MBBS degree has to be greater than 54 months (4.5 years)
- The student has to undergo an internship that lasts at least 12 months in the SAME medical institution
- The medium of instruction has to be English
This has implications for students who planned to study in the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia, as their courses are less than 4.5 years. Universities that split the MBBS programme into different locations for the pre-clinical and clinical years, such as the Manipal University in Antigua and St. George’s University in Grenada, may no longer be viable for Indian students. Also, students planning to study in Ireland will also need to consider these new rules as not all international students are guaranteed an internship in Ireland.
Can International Doctor Practice in India?
As per the current rules, anyone who has completed MBBS in countries other than the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, is required to appear for an entrance exam, the FMGE, to get a license to practice in India.
NExt Exam for Foreign Medical Graduates
The NMC introduced the FMGE/ NEXT Exam for foreign medical graduates and it is a licensing test for students to practice in India. This exam is conducted for the applicants who have completed an MBBS degree from foreign medical universities.it is mandatory for Medical Students in India and Abroad who've registered in the batch of 2017.
Medical students who’ve completed their MBBS Abroad must be worried about how to clear entrance exams to be licensed practitioners in India. Even the recent Indian MBBS students are in a fix as they’re also to appear for mandate NExT to get PG seats in India.
So, what is NExt?
NExt (National Exit Test) was founded by National Medical Commission Bill 2019 as Licensing Medical Examination. As per the law, this test acts as an alternative to the NEET-PG and Prof exam of the University. It acts as a common doorway to gaining a practicing license in India.
Who all can apply for NExT?
The Medical students who are eligible to apply for NExT are as follows:
- Final year MBBS students who want to pursue PG and internships in India are suitable to apply.
- Medical Aspirants from foreign countries who wish to obtain a practicing license in India as a doctor are eligible for NExT.
Is Exit Test mandatory for MBBS?
Yes, it is mandatory for Medical Students in India and Abroad who’ve registered in the batch of 2017. They can appear for NExT from 2022.
According to NMC (National Commission Medical Bill), NExT fulfills the purpose of the licensure examination. It eliminates the need to conduct the NEET-PG Exam. As per the amendment passed in 2019, students who’ve registered in the batch of 2017 will have to compulsory apply for NExT in 2022.
But as per Section 49 Act, the MBBS curriculum and pattern for Medical Universities will remain unchanged as the previous one.
How is NExT Conducted?
NExT is conducted in 2 parts i.e., NExT 1 and NExT 2.
NExT 1
- This is a gateway for students who were previously appearing for NEET-PG. Now they have to apply for NExT 1 to initiate the process for PG seats.
- The marks obtained in NExT 1 are taken for assessing PG ranking in Counselling. NExT1 marks help to get a PG seat and secure your license after clearing NExT 2.
- NExT 1 is organized for final year MBBS students before the internship commences. Qualifying in part 1 of the exam is crucial to start your internship. Failure to crack NExT1 makes you ineligible for an internship.
- After passing NExT 1, you can begin your internship for 12 months.
- It is an online MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) – based objective exam.
- NExT1 is also referred to as Prof IV part 1 and the score is valid for 2-3 years.
Question Paper Weightage of NExT1
- Problem Resolving – 60%
- Analysis of Comprehension- 30%
- Recollect Memory – 10%
- Basic Applied Sciences – 10%
- Public Health & Prevention – 10%
NExT 2
- NExT 2 is a practical exam to assess the practical knowledge of MBBS students.
- This is applicable only for students qualifying for NExT1.
- NExT 2 is also called Prof IV part 2. After clearing NExT2, you get the license to practice as a doctor in India.
Syllabus and Pattern of NExT Exam
There are a total of 540 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) in NExT 1 for a total time of 14.5 hours. The exam is conducted for 3 days, having 3 hours for pre-lunch and 1.5 hours for post-lunch.
NExT 2 is a practical exam that will be taken by respected Universities.
NExT 1 Exam Timetable
| Days | Subjects | Schedule | No. of MCQs | Duration |
| 1 | Medical Allied | Pre-Lunch | 120 | 3 hrs |
| 1 | Pediatrics | Post-Lunch | 60 | 1.5hrs |
| 2 | Surgery & Allied | Pre-Lunch | 120 | 3 hrs |
| 2 | ENT | Post-Lunch | 60 | 1.5hrs |
| 3 | Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Pre-Lunch | 120 | 3 hrs |
| 3 | Ophthalmology | Post-Lunch | 60 | 3 hrs |
| Total | – | – | 540 | 14.5 hrs |
NExT Exam Administration
| SL.No | Examination | Organized by |
| 1 | Prof 1 | University |
| 2 | Prof 2 | University |
| 3 | Prof 3 Part 1 | University |
| 4 | Prof 3 Part 2 | University |
| 5 | Prof4 Part 1 (NExT 1) | National Body |
| 7 | Prof 4 Part 2 (NExT 2) | University |
The curriculum for the NExT test is completely different from MCI Screening and NEET PG. A total of 19 subjects are present in the clinical part that carries more marks than pre and para-clinical topics.
NExT 1 Syllabus
- Medical Allied
- Pediatrics
- ENT
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Orthopedics and Anaesthesia
- Dermatology and Psychiatry
- Ophthalmology
Final Thoughts
Although, NExT will replace the FMGE Screening Test which was mainly organized for Foreign Medical graduates for obtaining a license to practice in India. NExT 2 scores will determine your practicing license in India. This test is even conducted to replace NEET-PG from 2022, as the NExT 1 score will decide your PG seats during the counseling process.
NExT exam is mainly conducted to produce more skillful medical practitioners in India and also to upgrade the standard of education in the country.
As per the authorities, this exam will bring more transparency and stability to produce more confident doctors that have global-scale level education